The Disgraceful Bride: A Wake-Up Call to the Church
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” – Revelation 19:7 (NIV)
Some years ago, I received a sobering revelation—a dream that has since lingered in my spirit like a divine burden. It was a heavenly vision of the wedding feast of the Lamb. What should have been a celebration of glory and fulfillment turned into a scene of sorrow, shame, and divine lamentation.
The Dream: A Banquet of Glory Turned Bittersweet
In my dream, I saw a magnificent hall, adorned with beauty beyond words. It had been set in order for a great wedding banquet. Every detail—every flower, drapery, and light—spoke of majesty. Dignitaries were seated at the high table, and the Father of the groom radiated with a deep joy as He awaited the bride's arrival. The Groom, clothed in glorious apparel, stood tall with His groomsmen, beaming in expectation. The air was charged with anticipation. All was ready—except for one thing: the bride was missing.
Time passed. Whispers began to rise. The guests grew restless. The Groom looked toward the entrance, concerned. The Father, still hopeful, began to wonder. Where is the bride? Why the delay?
Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened. But the sight that met everyone was shocking and heart-wrenching.
The bride stumbled in—tattered, unkempt, and filthy. Her once-radiant white garment was stained with mud. The crowd gasped. The Father looked away in pain. Some of the dignitaries quietly left in disappointment. And the Groom... oh, the Groom—He was pierced not just by what He saw, but by the sorrowful realization that this was the bride He had waited for with longing and sacrifice.
His words echoed with heartbreak:
“Is this the bride I have waited all My life for?
Is this the woman I left My glory and submitted to pain and death for?
I redeemed you. I refined you. I adorned you with My righteousness.
How did you become so dirty, so polluted, so unlike Me?”
And I awoke with a heavy heart and a cry on my lips.
The Bride and the Groom: A Divine Mystery
The Bride is the Church.
The Groom is Christ, the Lamb of God.
This vision is not a fable or fantasy. It is a prophetic picture of the spiritual state of the Church—particularly in these last days.
Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, has done everything to prepare us. He gave His life, shed His blood, sent His Spirit, and adorned us with His righteousness. The expectation is clear: a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Ephesians 5:27).
But instead of presenting herself as a chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2), the Church has become compromised, casual, and complacent. Rather than walking in purity, holiness, and spiritual authority, much of the Body of Christ is now entangled in the very things Christ died to set us free from—sin, worldliness, pride, division, false doctrine, and lukewarmness.
What Happened to the Bride?
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She traded her oil for entertainment.
The lamps meant to be filled with oil (Matthew 25:1–13) have gone dry because she prefers lights, cameras, and crowds over deep intimacy with the Holy Spirit. -
She stained her garment with compromise.
Rather than being set apart, she has become indistinguishable from the world—blending in when she was called to stand out. -
She forgot her first love.
The passionate desire to please the Groom has been replaced by programs, performance, and personal ambition. -
She allowed strange doctrines and sin to spread like yeast.
The pulpit, once a place of truth and fire, now often offers motivational talk devoid of conviction and repentance.
A Lament and a Call to Repentance
The Church is no longer waiting on Christ—He is now waiting on us.
Like the Laodicean church, we think we are rich and in need of nothing, but we are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). The Groom stands at the door, knocking—not to unbelievers, but to His own bride (Revelation 3:20).
The heavenly wedding feast is being prepared. The table is almost set. The trumpet will soon sound. But the question remains:
Will the bride be ready, or will she come disgracefully?
What Must We Do?
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Return to our first love (Revelation 2:4–5)
We must repent from coldness and rekindle our intimacy with Christ through prayer, worship, and obedience. -
Wash our garments in His blood (Revelation 7:14)
Let us forsake sin, worldliness, and fleshly indulgence. There is cleansing in His blood, but we must return to it. -
Pursue holiness and righteousness (Hebrews 12:14)
The true Church must be sanctified, not secularized. -
Awaken from spiritual slumber (Romans 13:11–12)
The midnight cry is near. The wise will trim their lamps and stay alert. -
Preach the undiluted gospel again (Galatians 1:6–10)
Let the Church stop entertaining and start equipping. We are called to make disciples, not fans.
Final Thoughts: Will You Be a Worthy Bride?
This vision is a divine rebuke and a tender call. It’s time for self-examination, not finger-pointing. It’s time for repentance, revival, and reformation. The Groom still loves His bride—but He’s coming back for one that is spotless, holy, and radiant.
“And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
– Revelation 19:8
Dear Church, let us not meet our Groom in disgrace. Let us rise, repent, and return to Him with garments washed and hearts aflame. The marriage supper awaits. Will you be ready?
🔎 Reflection Questions:
- What areas of my life reflect spiritual filth or compromise?
- Have I lost my first love for Christ? What can I do to return?
- What does it mean to be a "worthy bride" in today’s world?
- What can I personally do to awaken and prepare others in the Church?
☆ Actions to Take:
- Spend time in prayer and fasting this week, seeking personal revival.
- Reflect on Revelation chapters 2–3 and apply Christ’s messages to the churches.
- Encourage your local church to return to sound doctrine and holy living.
- Share this message with other believers. Stir the cry of revival.
📖 More Bible Readings for Further Study:
- Matthew 25:1–13 – The Parable of the Ten Virgins
- Revelation 19:6–9 – The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
- Ephesians 5:25–27 – Christ’s Love for the Church
- 2 Corinthians 11:2 – The Chaste Virgin
- 1 Peter 1:13–16 – Be Holy in All Conduct
🕊️ Let the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" (Revelation 22:17)
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